If you have diabetes, you have a much higher chance of developing problems with your feet. This is because diabetes can affect your circulation and cause a loss of feeling called peripheral neuropathy. In addition to this, raised blood sugar can damage the sensation in your feet. This can cause two issues – firstly, you may not notice if your feet are injured or sore, and secondly, the poor blood supply means that those injuries may not heal properly.
Knowing how to care for diabetic feet means building a few simple habits into your everyday routine and knowing which changes should not be ignored. These everyday steps are one part of diabetic foot care, alongside regular foot checks and getting the right help when a problem develops.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to protect your feet.
How To Care For Diabetic Feet
When you have diabetes, it is more vital than ever to ensure that you keep your feet in good condition. Here are some things that you should do:
Make sure that your shoes fit well, and that they don’t squeeze or rub.
Before putting your shoes on, check inside them for anything that could rub, press or injure your foot, including small stones, damaged lining or objects that may have fallen inside. This is particularly important if you have reduced sensation, as you may not necessarily feel something causing damage.
Keep your feet clean and dry them well after washing. You should wash your feet in warm water every day and use a mild soap. Test the temperature of the water using your elbow to avoid burns.
Avoid soaking your feet for long periods and make sure that you dry carefully between your toes.
Don’t walk barefoot – this will help you to avoid cuts and other injuries.
Cut your toenails regularly. Make sure that you cut them straight across, rather than on an angle, and don’t cut them too short to avoid ingrown toenails.
If your nails are very thick, you have difficulty reaching or seeing your feet, or you have reduced sensation, cutting them yourself may cause an injury without you realising. Taking extra care with nail care for diabetics can help you avoid problems including cuts, damaged skin and ingrown toenails.
Protect your feet from hot and cold (e.g. by wearing shoes at the beach or socks at night).
If your skin becomes dry, regular moisturising can help to keep it in good condition. Do not put moisturising cream between your toes, where excess moisture can cause problems. If diabetes is causing dry or cracked feet, pay particular attention to cracks and broken skin rather than treating them as a purely cosmetic problem.
Check your feet daily. Look for any sores, blisters, calluses or redness. If you notice anything unusual, contact your podiatrist.
Your daily foot checks should include the tops and soles of your feet, your heels and between your toes. As well as the problems above, look for cuts, cracks, swelling, colour changes, warmth, discharge or anything that has started rubbing against your footwear. If you cannot easily see the bottom of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone to help.
A sore on your foot that isn’t healing, a new wound or broken skin needs prompt attention rather than waiting to see whether it improves.
Have your feet checked at least once a year as part of your diabetes care. If you have been assessed as being at moderate or high risk of developing a diabetic foot problem, you will need more frequent specialist checks based on your individual level of risk.
Alongside these vital points, there are other things you can do to look after your foot health when you have diabetes.
Don’t Try To Treat Every Foot Problem Yourself
Small foot problems can be tempting to deal with at home, but diabetes makes it particularly important to avoid accidentally damaging the skin. Do not use blades to remove hard skin, and avoid corn plasters, creams or sprays designed to remove corns or verrucas. These can damage healthy skin as well as the problem you are trying to treat.
If you have a corn, callus, troublesome nail or another foot problem you cannot manage safely yourself, professional treatment can reduce the risk of turning a relatively minor problem into an injury.
Stop Smoking
Smoking damages your blood vessels and can reduce blood flow. This impairs your blood circulation, which can significantly worsen foot problems if you have diabetes. Stopping smoking is one of the steps recommended to help reduce the risk of diabetic foot problems.
Eat Well And Exercise
Exercise improves your blood circulation, which can help you avoid issues with your feet and legs when you have diabetes. Additionally, eating well can help you to regulate your blood sugar levels, keeping you fit and well.
If you develop new or unexplained diabetic foot pain, a wound or a hot, swollen foot, however, get it assessed rather than simply trying to exercise through it.
When You Should See A Podiatrist…
Although you should have your feet checked at least once a year as part of your diabetes care, there are also times when a podiatrist can help with routine foot problems and preventative care.
Book an appointment if you are struggling to manage problems such as:
- Ingrown toenails
- Dry cracks around the heel
- Corns or calluses
- Thick or difficult-to-cut nails
- Shoes that repeatedly rub or create pressure on the foot
Your podiatrist will be able to treat the problems and give you advice to avoid them in the future.
Changes That Need Prompt Medical Attention
Some changes should not wait for a routine podiatry appointment. Seek prompt medical advice if you notice:
- Changes in skin colour
- Swelling
- Pain in the legs
- Unusual foot odour
- Changes in skin temperature
- A new blister, cut, wound or ulcer
- Fluid, pus or another discharge from broken skin
- An unexplained hot, swollen foot, particularly if it has also changed colour
NICE classifies ulceration, infection, serious problems with blood supply, gangrene and suspected acute Charcot arthropathy, which can present as an unexplained hot, swollen foot with a colour change, as active diabetic foot problems requiring prompt specialist assessment.
It is vital that you do not put off seeking professional help if you are concerned about your feet, because untreated infections can lead to amputation.
At Northwich Foot Clinic, our podiatrists are highly skilled in the treatment of people with diabetes, and we are easily accessible for people across the North West. You can book an appointment online today.
